Ellin Bell als McYlrea, 1714

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23     Malew
Ellin Bell als McYlrea of Ballacharry in the Parish of KK Malew being feeble
and aged desired us, William McYlchreest & Thomas Fargher whose names are subscribed, to
testify: That having given a Marriage Contract to her son Thomas Bell when he married his first wife
Margaret Bridson, the said Contract is mislaid or lost. However she owns that it contained as
follows: That her son Thomas Bell aforesaid was to have half the Estate and crop immediately after
his marriage; and the other half after the decease of the survivor, whether it happened to be her
husband Thomas Bell or herself. However, in respect of her infirm condition, she surrenders at
present to her son above named that half of the crop, which he was to receive after her death, he
paying to his brother and 5 sisters four bowls of corn among them, or whatever of the said corn was
unpaid at present. Witness our subscriptions the day and year above said. Witnesses: Thomas
Fargher, William McYlechreest. She owned this writing before me, J. Woods. At a Court in
Castletown, the witnesses have made oath to this declaration, February 4th, 1713. xxxx Lord
Bishop & the Revd. Vicars Generals of the Isle, The humble petition of Thomas Bell Ballchary in the
parish of KK Malew, Humbly sheweth, That your petitioner above thirty years ago, had in Marriage
Contract from his father and mother the one half of the Estate, with half the Crop immediately after
his intermarriage, & the other half of the Estate & crop after the decease of the survivor of his said
father and mother, paying unto his brother & sisters four bowls of corn betwixt them, the contents of
which Contract his said mother lately declared upon her death bed before two witnesses, and
afterwards acknowledged the same to the Minister of the parish upon receiving the Blessed
Sacrament, But in regard the said Contract cannot now be found, his brother and sisters do take
advantage of him, endeavoring to deprive him of the benefit of the same, your Petitioner being
stricken in years and feeble having an impediment in his hearing and not able to speak for himself,
Begs he may be permitted to get some honest man to make his case known to the Court, and he as
is duty bound shall ever pray."